138 MARIA THERESA OF AUSTRIA

This passage reflects Maria Theresa's narrow-minded
attitude towards learning. Her interest in education
was purely practical. She was a complete utilitarian,
and she had no understanding whatsoever for the
pleasure some human beings derive from the pursuit
of knowledge as such.

Actually, her so-called reform of the educational
system, her far-reaching censorship of books and of
learning, was extremely reactionary.

" To the injudicious bigotry of the Empress," as Sir
Nathaniel William Wraxali once wrote from Vienna,
" may chiefly be attributed the deficiency (in learning).
It is hardly credible how many books and productions
of every species, and in every language, are proscribed
by her. Not only Voltaire and Rousseau are included
in the list, from the immoral tendency or licentious
nature of their writings; but many authors whom we
consider as unexceptionable or harmless, experience a
similar treatment. A sentence reflecting on the Catholic
religion; a doubt thrown upon the sanctity of some
hermit or monk of the Middle Ages; any composition
in which the pleasures of love are warmly depicted;
for I by no means speak of those licentious writings
which it is the duty of every government to suppress ;
in a word, any work where superstition is attacked or
censured, however slightly, attracts immediate notice,
and is instantly prohibited under severe penalties/'

It is a curious fact that Dr. van Swieten, who was in
many ways an enlightened man, was willing to assist
Maria Theresa in her resistance to the enlightenment
of her age. He was appointed as the Prefect of the
Imperial Library. He also became the Director of the
Medical Faculty of the University, Apart from these
official posts, hcywever, he also advised the Empress in